Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemned police action on farmers during their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, calling it “inhumane use of force.”
In a post on X, Kanmozhi urged the central government to “immediately engage with farmer representatives, and address their demands without delay.”
On Friday, farmers launched ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, demanding a legal guarantee or MSP on crops from the central government. They were stopped at the Sambhu border by police which used tear gas shells to disperse the protestors. Several farmers were reportedly injured during the protest.
Kanimozhi called the police action “oppressive” and asked the government to address farmers’ demands.
“I condemn the Union Government’s ruthless and inhuman use of force against farmers marching to Delhi for their rightful demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. It is outrageous to attack those who feed the nation with lathi and tear gas,” Kanimozhi said.
“The Union Government must stop this brutal suppression, immediately engage with farmer representatives, and address their demands without delay,” she added.
I condemn the Union Government’s ruthless and inhuman use of force against farmers marching to Delhi for their rightful demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. It is outrageous to attack those who feed the nation with lathi and tear gas.
The Union Government must…
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) December 7, 2024
After several farmers were reportedly injured in tear gas shelling by police, the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march was called off on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed his disappointment, stating that the central government is unwilling to engage in talks with the farmers.
Emphasising the lack of “positive initiative” from the central government to resolve farmers’ demands, Pandher informed that 20 farmers were injured in tear gas shelling by police at the Sambhu border to halt their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Speaking with ANI, Pandher said, “The central government is not in the mood to talk to the farmers. We can’t see any positive initiative to peacefully solve the issue from their side.”
“20 farmers have been injured. 14 farmers have gone to Hospital, 2 were seriously injured, and one was referred to Patiala. This is the condition here,” he added.
On Friday, Pandher announced that a group of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi on December 8 at 12 noon if the Union Government does not engage in talks with them by Saturday.
The protest aims to press for several demands, including compensation and a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).